Conan wasn't buying it.
"Who else but you would do something like this?"
His sharp blue eyes narrowed.
"You call yourself an artist, but let's be real—you're just a perverted thief!"
Of course, Conan and Kaito Kid had clashed before.
Not long ago, they had faced off at the Beika Museum—
But that time, Kid had escaped.
Now, hearing Conan accuse him so shamelessly, Kaito Kid's veins twitched.
"For the last time— I didn't steal any underwear!"
He exhaled sharply, then shrugged.
"But since you caught me fair and square…"
His tone turned nonchalant.
"Fine, I'll return the Dark Star to you."
With that, he reached into his pocket.
And then—
His expression changed drastically.
His fingers scrambled frantically through his clothing.
His hands patted down every pocket.
But—
Nothing.
His breath hitched.
"Strange… the Dark Star… it's gone?!"
Conan's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"What are you playing at now?"
Kid's voice was unusually serious.
"I'm not lying—it's really gone!"
A chill ran down his spine.
Could it be—
Someone on this cruise ship was even better at stealing than him?
Someone who had silently taken the Dark Star…
Without him even noticing?!
A cold sweat formed on his back.
For the first time in a long while, Kaito Kid felt genuine fear.
But Conan?
The little detective wasn't moved in the slightest.
"Hmph. Still won't admit it, huh?"
His voice turned icy.
"I guess you won't confess until you're behind bars."
With that, Conan began spinning his soccer ball again.
"W-Wait!" Kid blurted out.
His hands shot up in a defensive gesture.
"Didn't you notice? My clothes are identical to your Uncle Mōri's!"
Conan arched an eyebrow.
Kid smirked.
"He's shivering in the lifeboat next to the cruise ship.
If you arrest me now… do you want him running around naked later?"
But—
Whoosh!
Before he could finish, Conan's football shot out like a comet.
It came barreling toward him with terrifying speed.
Threatening Conan with Kogoro streaking?
Completely useless!
If it had been Ran, maybe he'd hesitate.
But for Uncle Mōri?
Not a chance!
Originally, Kid had targeted Ran—he had been wary of her.
But thanks to Akashi's interference, Ran hadn't worn the outfit he had prepared for his disguise.
So, at the last second, he had switched targets to Kogoro.
Who would've thought—
That this evil brat wouldn't hesitate at all?!
"What a cruel kid!"
Kid barely dodged the football as it whizzed past his ear.
Without missing a beat, he threw down another smoke bomb pearl.
Puff!
Thick white smoke engulfed the room.
Within seconds, Kogoro's black suit scattered to the floor.
And the next moment—
A white silhouette slipped out of the engine compartment.
Conan ignored the abandoned suit.
His short legs sprinted after the fleeing figure.
From time to time, he pressed his belt, sending out another football to intercept Kid.
The chase burst onto the deck.
Wind whipped across the cruise ship as detective and phantom thief clashed once more.
Meanwhile… Back in her cabin, Vermouth sat frozen.
Her aqua-blue eyes widened.
Her lips parted slightly in shock.
She watched the scene before her—
And her brain refused to compute.
"This brat… is supposed to be seven years old?!"
No way.
This—
This was exactly like the old Bacardi.
What the hell was going on?!
She couldn't hold back her exasperation.
"Bacardi, you didn't take some kind of fake drug, did you?"
She felt his bare hands move against her—
Unconsciously, he had already begun gently rubbing her.
Before she could react—
She found herself responding instinctively!
Hearing her doubt, Akashi snorted.
"What fake drug?"
He crossed his arms, eyes sharp.
"I should be the one asking questions here."
His tone turned accusing.
"How did you recognize me instantly— even when I look like this?"
At that—
Vermouth froze.
For the first time, she had no answer.
Without hesitation, the stunning silver-haired woman flipped over, her rosy lips pressing against Akashi's in a teasing kiss.
"Secret!"
Her voice was playful, her breath warm against his skin.
"A secret makes a woman… woman!"
Akashi rolled his eyes.
Seriously?
They both knew the nature of their relationship, yet she still insisted on being so mysterious.
But even though Vermouth refused to say it outright, he already knew the answer.
He just didn't want to reopen old wounds, so he played along, pretending to be oblivious.
Then—
She laughed.
A light, melodious sound, like silver bells ringing in the wind.
Her silver hair swayed, and her laughter was so full of life that the very air seemed to carry a sweet fragrance.
"So sweet!"
She gazed at him, eyes full of mischief.
"Bacardi, have you been involved in other human experiments?"
Akashi immediately understood—
She was referring to the effect of his 『Imported Sugar』 skill.
After all, kissing him really was sweet.
"How could that be?" He smirked. "I'm just naturally talented!"
His voice carried an air of mock arrogance.
Then he narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Besides, are there any other human experiments happening in the organization?"
At that, Vermouth's playful expression dimmed.
Her aqua-blue eyes darkened slightly.
"Yeah… There is."
She exhaled, then added in a detached tone:
"Someone under Rum is conducting experiments, or so they say."
"Who knows? I don't want to get involved with those people."
Her lips curled into a smirk again.
"But still, this is such a strange feeling."
Her eyes roamed over him, amused yet intrigued.
"You're small, but you're big."
"You're big, but you're small."
"It just feels… off."
Akashi scoffed.
"I told you, I'm gifted!"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, come on— at least describe it properly!"
Akashi groaned.
What the hell does she mean by small and big?!
Vermouth suddenly chuckled, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
"It just feels so perverted!"
She let out a playful sigh, then smirked.
"Honestly, you look like you could be my son right now."
Akashi froze.
A vein twitched on his forehead.
"…I treat you as my wife, and you want to be my mother?!"
Unbelievable.
Your Son?!
If he had known things would turn out like this, he would have never come to her looking like this!
That was exactly why he had been avoiding her—because in this form, he was too weak!
This was humiliating!
Vermouth's laughter only grew louder, her lips curling in amusement.
Akashi, meanwhile, was boiling with frustration.
Teased again and again, he had half a mind to burn 10,000 Yin energy and return to his adult form.
Then, he'd properly put Vermouth in her place.
But—
Ten thousand Yin energy meant ten attributes!
Spending it on something like this?
It will hurt like cutting his flesh.
So he hesitated.
And in that moment—
Vermouth's pink lips pressed against his once more.
Her aqua-blue eyes locked onto his.
Gorgeous. Mesmerizing. Lethal.
"Let's see if the rest of you is just as sweet."
Her sultry whisper sent a shiver down his spine.
This woman—
A true temptress.
The little succubus was immediately struck hard.
He felt his frustration skyrocket.
Damn it!
Meanwhile, out on the deck—
A football shot across the air like a bullet.
Kaito Kid, clad in his signature white suit, dodged in a panic.
His face darkened as he skidded across the deck—only to find himself surrounded.
Ahead of him—
A group of Metropolitan Police officers.
Behind him—
The relentless Conan Edogawa.
Kid felt his danger levels spike.
"A wolf in front, a tiger behind… just my luck."
Without hesitation, he tossed another smoke bomb.
Puff!
A thick white mist spread instantly—
And the next moment, his silhouette flashed as he leapt towards the top of the cruise ship.
Ginzo Nakamori roared in frustration.
"He's up there! Catch him—now!"
The officers scrambled, climbing after him.
Seeing this, Kid couldn't help but sweatdrop.
But then—
A familiar figure appeared on the deck below.
Conan.
The ghostly little devil was already spinning another football on his foot.
Waiting.
Just waiting for Kid to take off so he could kick him down.
Kid's blood ran cold.
"Damn it… This brat is a menace!"
Plan B—!
He reached for his emergency inflatable decoy doll, intending to use it as a distraction.
But—
His hand found nothing.
His expression changed dramatically.
He frantically patted himself down.
"Wait… Where's my doll?!"
At that moment—
It hit him.
"Don't tell me…"
Some bastard not only stole the Dark Star…
But also stole my inflatable decoy?!
His mind reeled.
"What kind of sick thief is this?!"
Meanwhile, the actual culprit was too busy enjoying himself elsewhere—
Completely oblivious to Kid's inner screams.